保壓

貫通司軔閥 分為兩種：「自動保壓」和「非自動保壓」。

自動保壓

較新型的司軔閥能夠「自動保壓」，也就是根據手柄的位置自動地完成三個動作：釋放、增加並維持軔管 中的壓力。它們對於初學者較易上手，因其手柄的位置也直接對應著軔缸 壓力。愈向「緊軔」方向推動手柄，施加的軔力愈強；愈向「鬆軔」方向推動推動手柄，施加的軔力愈弱。

非自動保壓

較舊型的司軔閥無法「自動保壓」，即軔管壓力需要以手動方式增減、維持。此類司軔閥上共有「鬆軔」、「保壓」、「緊軔」、「緊急制軔」四個固定段位。第一、三段的「鬆軔」和「緊軔」可以被分別理解為「增加軔管壓力」和「釋放軔管壓力」的段位。前者之間的第二段位為「保壓」，用來維持當下軔管中存在的壓力。第三個段位之外還有一段稱為「緊急緊軔」的額外空間，當手柄維持在此位置時，司軔閥將以可達之最快速度釋放軔管壓力。

透過控制軔管壓力，您將間接地使軔缸充氣，從而施加軔力。

Auxiliary reservoirs are partially drained whenever brakes are applied. When brakes are then released, it takes some time for the reservoirs to be recharged. The lap position, however, functions only if the auxiliary reservoirs are full. So, to stay in full control over non-self-lapping brakes it is recommended to not release when knowing that moments later braking may be needed again. Calculated, infrequent moves are advised instead.

監控

With both control valve types it is crucial to monitor the brake pipe and cylinder gauges to fully understand the current brake state.

衝突

In case a train contains multiple motorized vehicles their control valves are in conflict. The conflict can be even more severe if there are mixed self-lapping and non-self-lapping valves in the train. To ensure safe operation it is necessary to cutout all excess control valves, other than the one intended to be used.